I have to thank my big brother for that:
I first read my brothers copy of "The Hobbit" when I was a child and loved it. After a few years he made me listen to the german audio book of "Lord of the Rings" and I fell in love with it. Of course I had to read the book after that and buy my own copy: first the german one and after a while the english one too.
A few months later the first moie came and I've been a fan of the books and the movies ever since.

Favorite Tolkien character:

Samwise Gamgee. All Hobbits really but he's the one I loved from the start.
Though I have to admit that Thranduil and Fingon hold a big place in my heart as well.